Trundle-type bed

ABSTRACT

A BED HAVING A HEADBOARD AND FOOTBOARD HELD IN OPERATION POSITION BY A RECTANGULAR MATTRESS-SUPPORTING BEDFRAME. The bedframe is detachably secured at its corners to the headboard and footboard by identically configured clamp plates. A second rectangular mattress support, or storage shelf, is positioned below the upper mattress-supporting bedframe, and is movable between a stored position underneath the upper mattresssupporting bedframe and an unstored or use position on the floor and laterally displaced from the upper mattress-supporting bedframe. Cam ledge support members extend along the lower region of the inner surface of both the headboard and footboard, and function to elevate the lower mattress support, or storage shelf, from a position resting on the floor in the unstored position to a position slightly spaced from the floor in the stored position, permitting the bed to be moved around without the lower mattress support dragging on the floor.

United States Patent 2,907,053 l0/l959 Primary ExaminerPaul R. Gilliam [72] inventor Curtis E. Millier 6088 Stirrup Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45244 Attorney-Wood, Herron & Evans 02 7 9M 11 0 1 H11 v n m 9 h a d N mrwm fla AF? 1]] 25 224 [ll ABSTRACT: a bed having a headboard and footboard held in operation position b [54] TRUNDLE-TYPE BED d .mwm "mu m C W m hnny m l rd n w amfi mC m m H. V. m m c m a v.

bedframe. The bedframe is detachabl to the headboard and footboard b clamp plates. A second rectan 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

gular mattress support, or

storage shelf, is positioned below the upper mattress-supportlower mattress support, or storage shelf, from a position rest- UNITED STATES PATENTS PATENTEU JAN! 1 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 PATENIEU JAN] 1 m2 SHEET 2 [IF 2 TRUNDLE-TYPE BED This invention relates to beds, and more particularly to beds of the trundle type.

Trundle beds of the general type to which this invention relates typically include a headboard and a footboard, collectively termed bedboards," which in use are held together in their operative relationship by a rectangular bedframe. The bedframe is secured at its opposite ends to the inner surfaces of the bedboards, providing a unified rigid bedboard assembly. In addition to rigidifying the headboard and footboard, the rectangular bedframe performs a further function, namely, supporting a mattress which is placed on it, thereby constituting an upper bed section. A lower rectangular mattress support, which may be used without a mattress for storage, is also provided. The lower mattress support when provided with a mattress serves as the lower or second bed section. Typically, the lower bed section when not in use is stored beneath the upper mattress, while when in use it rests on the floor laterally displaced from the upper mattress.

It is important in the design of trundle beds of the foregoing general type that the lower bed section, when in its stored position underlying the upper bed section, be elevated above the floor level. This permits the entire bed assembly to be moved around without the lower bed section dragging on the floor, or remaining stationary when, for example, the bed assembly is moved laterally. In addition, it is desirable that the lower bed section, when in the unstored position, be capable ofmovement independent of the upper bed section. This is important if, for example, the lower bed section is to be positioned On one side of the room and the upper bed section on the other side.

Accordingly, it has been an objective of this invention to provide a trundle bed in which the lower bed section is elevated above the floor when in its stored position, and yet is freely movable independent of the remaining bed structure when in its unstored, or use, position. This objective has been accomplished in accordance with certain of the principles of this invention by providing, on the lower inner surfaces of the opposite ends of the headboard and footboard horizontally extending cam ledge support members which when the lower bed section is being moved to its stored position underneath the upper mattress slidingly engage opposite ends of the lower mattress support to both elevate it above the floor and maintain it so elevated when returned to its fully stored position. In a preferred form, the cam ledge support members have a horizontal elongated sliding support surface, the end of which terminates in a downwardly and outwardly extending cam surface. As the lower bed section begins movement to the stored position, the ends of the lower mattress support engage and ride up on the cam surfaces. When the lower mattress support has been moved to its storage position, the ends of the lower mattress support overlie the sliding support surface along their entire length, elevating the lower mattress support completely off the floor. By sliding the lower mattress support of the cam ledge support members, the lower mattress support assumes a position on the floor completely disconnected from, and movable independent of, the remainder ofthe bed.

Another desirable characteristic of trundle-type beds is that the upper mattress-supporting bedframe, which secures the headboard and footboard in their spaced vertical upright position during use, be readily detachable from the bedboards to facilitate disassembly of the bed for storage, shipment or otherwise. Further, it is important that whatever means are utilized to permit the bedframe and bedboards to be detachably rigidly interconnected, be simple and inexpensive in design and construction.

Accordingly, it has been a further purpose of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive clamp arrangement which permits the mattress-supporting bedframe to detachably rigidly interconnect the headboard and footboard as is required if the bed is to be readily disassembled for storage or shipment. In accordance with certain further principles of this invention, this objective has been accomplished by providing identically constructed clamp plates at each corner of the bed secured to the inner surfaces of the bedboards. Each clamp plate includes a first plate section which is fastened to the headboard and provided with inwardly projecting horizontal bedframe support lips at its upper and lower edges; and a second plate section which is parallel, but not coplanar, with the first plate section such that it is spaced from the bedboard to define a slot for receiving a vertical leg which depends from the bedframe. An intermediate plate section integral with and interconnecting the first and second plate sections completes the clamp plate structure. In use, downwardly depending legs located at the corners of the bedframe are positioned in the slots defined by the second plate sections and their adjacent, spaced, respectively associated portion of the bedboard. When so positioned, the opposite ends of the bedframe rest on the lips which project from the upper edge of the first plate sections.

With the clamp plate/bedframe leg arrangement of this invention, the headboard and footboard are rigidly interconnected with the bedframe by virtue of the engagement of the downwardly depending bedframe legs in the slots defined by the second clamp plate section and the associated bedboard section. Support for the mattress and user is provided by the horizontal lips projecting from the upper edges of the first plate section which underlie the bedframe ends.

An advantage of the clamp of this invention is that a same clamp plate structure can be used at all four corners of the bed, thereby dispensing with the need for stocking two different clamp configurations, i.e., one for the right side of the headboard and left side of the footboard and another for the left side of the headboard and right side of the footboard, as is often necessary with conventional bedframe clamps. Additionally, in this invention, assembly and/or disassembly of the bedframe and associated bedboards is easily accomplished by merely inserting or withdrawing downwardly depending legs attached to the bedframe from associated slots defined by the bedboard and a section of each clamp plate.

The foregoing and other advantages and objectives of the invention will become more readily apparent from a detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view partially broken away of a trundle-type bed incorporating a preferred embodiment of the cam elevating feature and clamp plate of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a section of the headboard, showing the manner in which the clamp plate and the leg of the mattress-supporting frame engage.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the inner surface of the headboard, showing the lower mattress support in its unstored position resting on the floor and laterally displaced from the upper mattress-supporting bedframe.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the inner surface of the headboard, showing the end of the lower mattress support in engagement with and partially elevated by the cam edge support member.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the inner surface of the headboard, showing the lower mattress support in its stored position with its ends fully engaged with the cam ledge support member and completely elevated with respect to the floor.

With reference to FIG. 1, the bed 8 of this invention includes a headboard l0 and a footboard 12, herein collectively referred to as bedboards, which in use are vertically disposed and in parallel relationship spaced a distance equal to the length of a mattress 14 positioned between them. The bed 8 further includes an upper mattress-supporting bedframe 16 having depending legs 18 at its cornersjThe mattress-supporting bedframe 16 is positioned between the headboard 10 and the footboard 12 with its opposite ends 16a and 16b adjacent the inner planar surfaces 11 and 13 of the headboard and footboard, respectively. Bedframe 16 and mattress 14 constitute an upper bed section. Identical clamp plates 20, secured to the inner surfaces 11 and 13 of the headboard 10 and footboard 12 adjacent the vertical edges 10-1, 10-2 and 12-1, 12-2 of the headboard and footboard, cooperate with the legs 18 and ends 160 and 16b of the bedframe 16, in a manner to be described, to facilitate the detachable interconnection of the bedframe 16 and the headboard and footboard 12 in a relatively fixed and rigid manner.

The bed 8 further includes a lower mattress support 22 which is movable between a stored position underlying the upper mattress-supporting bedframe 16, and an unstored position in which the lower mattress support is laterally displaced from the upper mattress-supporting bedframe and resting on the floor. The lower mattress support 22 is provided with a pair of parallel skids 24, 26 which are transversely disposed relative to the lower mattress support, and secured at their ends to the longitudinal edges 22c and 22d thereof. The skids 24 and 26 facilitate sliding of the lower mattress support on the floor as it is being moved between its stored and unstored positions.

Horizontally disposed cam ledge support members 28 and 30 are secured to the inner surfaces 11 and 13 of the headboard 10 and footboard 12 adjacent the lower edges and 17 thereof. The cam ledge support members 28 and 30 have horizontal surfaces 28a and 30a which are adapted to engage the ends 22a and 22b of the lower mattress support 22 when the latter is in its stored position underlying the upper mattress-supporting bedframe 16. The cam ledge support members 28 and 30 are mounted to the inner surfaces 11 and 13 of the headboard l0 and footboard 12 at a height relative to the floor such that the support surfaces 28a and 30a elevate the lower mattress support 22 and its associated skids 24 and 26 slightly above the floor when the lower mattress support is in its stored position. In this manner the bed 8 can be freely moved about on rollers 32 secured to the bottom edges 15 and 17 of the headboard l0 and footboard 12 without the lower mattress support 22 and its associated skids 24 and 26 dragging on the floor. The cam ledge support members 28 and 30 include at the opposite ends thereof down wardly and outwardly sloping cam surfaces 34. Cam surfaces 34 cooperate with the ends 22c and 22d of the lower mattress support 22 to facilitate gradual elevation of the lower mattress support 22 from a position resting with its skids on the floor when unstored, to an elevated position with the skids 24 and 26 slightly above the floor when stored.

The headboard 10 and footboard 12 are preferably fabricated of high density fiberboard. However, other suitable materials may be used such as wood, high impact plastics, composition board materials, or combinations thereof.

The upper mattress-supporting bedframe 16 is preferably rectangular in shape, having a headboard end 160, footboard end 16b and opposite sides 16c and 16d which are rigidly interconnected at the bedframe corners to form a stabilized rectangular shape. In a preferred form the ends 16a and 16b as well as the sides 16c and 16d of the mattress-supporting bedframe 16 are fabricated of heavy gauge angle iron consisting of a vertically disposed band 16v, and a horizontally disposed band 16h which projects inwardly from the lower edge of the vertical band 16v to which it is integrally connected. A rectangular slab 36 of wood or functionally similar material dimensioned to fit snugly within the vertical band section 16v of the mattress-supporting bedframe 16 is supported along its marginal edge portions by the horizontal band section 16h. Slab 36 supports the upper mattress 14 the underside of which it contacts. If desired, the slab 36 may be substituted by a crisscross arrangement of springs (not shown) secured at their ends to the horizontal band section 1611 of the mattress-supporting bedframe 16. Depending from each corner ofthe mattress-supporting bedframe 16 is a vertical leg 18. The leg 18, also preferably formed ofangle iron, includes a band section 18a perpendicular to the bedboards 10, 12 and a band section 18b parallel to the bedboards. The upper extremity of leg 18 preferably embraces the exterior of the corner of the mattress-supporting bedframe 16 to which it is secured in any suitable manner such as welding, rivets, screw fasteners, or the like.

The bed clamp 20 includes a first planar bedboard-engaging plate section 20a which is generally rectangular in shape and is adapted to be secured to the inner surface 11 (13) of the bedboard 10 (12). Extending horizontally from and integrally connected with the upper and lower edges of the plate section 20a are bedframe-engaging lips 20b and 20b. The clamp 20 further includes a second planar leg-engaging plate section 20c which is also rectangular in shape. Plate section 20c is parallel to plate section 20a, but noncoplanar therewith. lntegral with and rigidly interconnecting plate sections 20a and 20e is an intermediate plate section 20d which is angled with respect to plate sections 20a and 20c which it interconnects.

In use, the bed clamp 20 is connected to each side of the inner surfaces 11 (13) of the bedboards l0 (12) adjacent the vertical edges l01, 10-2 (12-1, l22). Specifically, the bedboard-engaging plate section 20a is secured to the bedboard 10 (12) with suitable fasteners 38 such that the bedframe-engaging lips 20b and 20b are disposed horizontally and extend away from the inner bedboard surface 11 (13) to which the clamp plate section 20a is secured, and the bedframe leg-engaging plate 20c extends outwardly, that is, toward the bedboard edge 10-1, 10-2 (12-1, 12-2) with which the clamp is associated. With the clamp 20 so secured, a space is provided between the leg-engaging plate 20c and the inner surface 11 (13) of the bedboard 10 (12) with which the clamp plate is associated for receiving the leg band section 18b of the associated leg 18. Preferably the space between the leg-engaging plate 20c and the bedboard inner surface 11 13) is slightly less than the thickness of the leg band section 18b to facilitate (with slight accompanying plate deflection) a snug, sliding fit for the leg band section 18b between the leg-engaging plate 20c and the bedboard inner surface 11 (13). With the leg band section 18b positioned between the leg-engaging plate 200 and the associated bedboard inner surface 11 (13), the horizontal band section 16h of the bedframe end 16a (16b) rests upon and is supported by the uppermost bedframeengaging lip 20b (20b).

Preferably the marginal edge portions 20e and 20 e of the leg-engaging plate section 20c are angled in the general direction of the extension of lip 20b and 20b. Angulation of marginal edge portions 20e and 20e provides a widened throat for the space between the leg-engaging plate 20c and the inner bedboard surface 11 (13) to facilitate ease of entry of the leg band section 18b. The throat also prevents mechanical interference between edges 20e (20e) and the horizontal band section 1611 of the bedframe end 16a (16b), permitting the weight of the bedframe l6 and the mattress 14 supported thereby to be borne entirely by the lips 20b (20b) and in turn the fasteners 38 and bedboard 10 (12).

The lower mattress support 22, like the mattress-supporting bedframe 16, is generally rectangular in shape and fabricated of angle iron having vertically and horizontally disposed band sections 22v and 22h. The ends 22a and 22b and the sides 22c and 22d of the lower mattress support 22 are rigidly interconnected at their corner-forming ends to provide a stabilized rectangular shape. A rectangular horizontal slab 40 of wood or functionally similar material is supported along its marginal edges by the horizontal and inwardly extending band section 22h of the lower mattress support 22. The slab 40 can be used to support a mattress 42 (shown in phantom lines), or alternatively may be used merely as a storage surface for miscellaneous items such as blankets, pillows, clothes, or the like. The skids 24 and 26 are generally U-shaped having a large horizontal central section which is adapted to slidably engage the floor when the lower mattress support 22 is in the unstored position displaced from the upper mattress-supporting bedframe 16, and upwardly and outwardly angled side sections which secure the skids 24 and 26 to the opposite sides 22c and 22d of the lower mattress support 22.

The cam ledge support members 28 and 30 are preferably elongated strips of suitable material such as wood which are secured to the inner surface 11, 13 of the bedboard 10, 12 by suitable means (not shown). The ends of the cam ledge support members 28 and 30 are angled to provide downwardly and outwardly sloping cam surfaces 34. The cam ledge support members 28 and 30 are secured to the bedboards l and 12 such that the horizontally disposed support surfaces 28a and 30a are slightly above the horizontal band sections 2212 of the lower mattress support 22, as shown by distance X (FIG. 3), when the lower mattress support is in its unstored position resting on the floor and laterally displaced from the upper mattress-supporting bedframe l6.

In operation, the lower mattress support 22, when resting on the floor displaced from the mattress-supporting bedframe 16 (FIG. 3), is positioned in the stored position underlying the upper mattress-supporting bedframe 16(FlG. by sliding the lower mattress support on the skids 24 and 26 along the floor towards the cam ledge support members 28 and 30. The ends 22a and 22b of the lower mattress support 22 eventually engage the cam surfaces 34 of the cam ledge support members 28 and 30. Continued sliding motion of the lower mattress support 22 to the stored position underlying the mattress-supporting bedframe 16 causes the lower mattress support 22 to cam or ride up onto the horizontal support surfaces 28a and 30a of the cam ledge support members 28 and 30. Further movement of the lower mattress support 22 to the stored position ultimately results in the lower mattress support 22 being entirely supported on the cam ledge support members 28 and 30 with the skids 24 and 26 elevated slightly off the floor as best shown in FIG. 5. With the lower mattress support 22 so supported in the stored position, the bed 8 can be moved around on rollers 32 without the lower mattress support dragging on the floor.

From the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention it is apparent that a number of advantages inherent in the construction thereof. For example, a lower bed or shelf means is provided which can be simply and easily moved from an unstored position resting on the floor and laterally displaced from the upper mattress 14 to a stored position underlying the upper mattress. In the stored position the lower mattress support or storage shelf 22 is elevated above the floor such that the bed 8 can be easily moved around without the lower mattress or storage shelf dragging on the floor or becoming displaced with respect to the upper mattress.

Additionally, a bedframe clamp is provided which is extremely simple in design and inexpensive inasmuch as it can be fabricated from a single sheet of heavy gauge metal by inexpensive means such as stamping. Also, the bed clamp of this invention can be interchangeably used at all corners of the mattress-supporting bedframe thereby eliminating the need to stock or inventory two different clamp plate uniquely configured for the right and left corners of the bedframe. Further, the bed clamp of this invention is simple to install on the bedboard, and once installed the bedframe can be quickly and easily engaged with the clamp to support the headboard and footboard in their operative position with respect to the bedframe disposed between them.

Having described my invention, 1 claim:

1. A bed comprising:

at least one bedboard having inner vertical surface with opposite side edges,

at least two identical clamp plates each having a. a first planar plate section with a lip at each ofa pair of opposite edges, which lips extend perpendicularly and in the same direction from said first planar section,

b. a second planar plate section disposed in substantially parallel noncoplanar relationship to said first planar section, and

c. an interconnecting plate section integral with said first and second planar sections for rigidly maintaining said first and second planar sections in substantially parallel coplanar relationship,

said clamp plates being secured to said inner vertical surface of said bedboard adjacent different ones of said opposite side edges, the first and second planar sections of each said secured clamp plates being in contact with and spaced from. respectively, the associated vertical surface to which the clamp plate is secured, said second and first planar sections being disposed adjacent and remote, respectively, relative to its associated bedboard edge, said lips of each said first planar plate sections being disposed away from the bedboard to which the clamp is secured, and

a rectangular bedframe having horizontal end sections and vertically depending legs adjacent each corner thereof, at least two of said legs positionable between a different second planar section and its associated bedboard inner vertical surface to detachably rigidly interconnect said bedboard and bedframe, said bedframe end section supported by the uppermost lips of its respectively associated pair of clamp plates.

2. A bed comprising:

a headboard having a bottom edge, opposite side edges, and

an inner vertical surface,

a footboard having a bottom edge, opposite side edges, and

an inner vertical surface,

said headboard and footboard adapted to be disposed on the floor in vertical spaced parallel relationship, with their bottom edges lowermost,

an upper rectangular support frame having opposite ends positionable between said spaced headboard and footboard with each of its opposite ends connectable to a different one of said vertical surfaces respectively associated therewith,

a lower rectangular support frame positionable between a stored position underlying said upper support frame and an unstored position supported entirely on said floor and laterally displaced from said stored position,

a headboard ledge member fixed relative to said inner vertical surface of said headboard adjacent said bottom edge thereof, said ledge member configured to engage and maintain above said floor one end of said lower rectangular support frame when said lower frame is in said stored position,

a footboard ledge member fixed relative to said inner vertical surface of said footboard adjacent said bottom edge thereof, said ledge member configured to engage and maintain above said floor the other end of said lower rectangular frame support when said lower support is in said stored position,

a headboard cam fixed relative to one of said headboard and associated end of said lower rectangular frame support for elevating said lower support end off said floor as said lower support moves from said unstored position to said stored position and said lower support end slides on said headboard ledge member,

a footboard cam fixed relative to one of said footboard and associated end of said lower rectangular frame support for elevating said lower support end off said floor as said lower support moves from said unstored position to said stored position and said lower support end slides on said footboard ledge member,

four identical clamp plates each having a. a first planar plate section with a lip at each ofa pair of opposite edges, which lips extend perpendicularly and in the same direction from said first planar section,

b. a second planar plate section disposed in substantially parallel noncoplanar relationship to said first planar section, and

c. an interconnecting plate section integral with said first and second planar sections for rigidly maintaining said first and second planar sections in substantially parallel, coplanar relationship,

said four clamp plates being secured to said inner vertical surfaces of said headboard and footboard adjacent different ones of the opposite side edges thereof, the first and second planar sections of each said clamp plate being in contact with and spaced from, respectively, and the asand its associated inner vertical surface to detachably rigidly interconnect said headboard and footboard and bedframe, each of said upper frame end sections supported by the uppermost lips ofits respectively associated pair of damp plates.

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1. A bed comprising: at least one bedboard having inner vertical surface with opposite side edges, at least two identical clamp plates each having a. a first planar plate section with a lip at each of a pair of opposite edges, which lips extend perpendicularly and in the same direction from said first planar section, b. a second planar plate section disposed in substantially parallel noncoplanar relationship to said first planar section, and c. an interconnecting plate section integral with said first and second planar sections for rigidly maintaining said first and second planar sections in substantially parallel coplanar relationship, said clamp plates being secured to said inner vertical surface of said bedboard adjacent different ones of said opposite side edges, the first and second planar sections of each said secured clamp plates being in contact with and spaced from, respectively, the associated vertical surface to which the clamp plate is secured, said second and first planar sections being disposed adjacent and remote, respectively, relative to its associated bedboard edge, said lips of each said first planar plate sections being disposed away from the bedboard to which the clamp is secured, and a rectangular bedframe having horizontal end sections and vertically depending legs adjacent each corner thereof, at least two of said legs positionable between a different second planar section and its associated bedboard inner vertical surface to detachably rigidly interconnect said bedboard and bedframe, said bedframe end section supported by the uppermost lips of its respectively associated pair of clamp plates.
 2. A bed comprising: a headboard havIng a bottom edge, opposite side edges, and an inner vertical surface, a footboard having a bottom edge, opposite side edges, and an inner vertical surface, said headboard and footboard adapted to be disposed on the floor in vertical spaced parallel relationship, with their bottom edges lowermost, an upper rectangular support frame having opposite ends positionable between said spaced headboard and footboard with each of its opposite ends connectable to a different one of said vertical surfaces respectively associated therewith, a lower rectangular support frame positionable between a stored position underlying said upper support frame and an unstored position supported entirely on said floor and laterally displaced from said stored position, a headboard ledge member fixed relative to said inner vertical surface of said headboard adjacent said bottom edge thereof, said ledge member configured to engage and maintain above said floor one end of said lower rectangular support frame when said lower frame is in said stored position, a footboard ledge member fixed relative to said inner vertical surface of said footboard adjacent said bottom edge thereof, said ledge member configured to engage and maintain above said floor the other end of said lower rectangular frame support when said lower support is in said stored position, a headboard cam fixed relative to one of said headboard and associated end of said lower rectangular frame support for elevating said lower support end off said floor as said lower support moves from said unstored position to said stored position and said lower support end slides on said headboard ledge member, a footboard cam fixed relative to one of said footboard and associated end of said lower rectangular frame support for elevating said lower support end off said floor as said lower support moves from said unstored position to said stored position and said lower support end slides on said footboard ledge member, four identical clamp plates each having a. a first planar plate section with a lip at each of a pair of opposite edges, which lips extend perpendicularly and in the same direction from said first planar section, b. a second planar plate section disposed in substantially parallel noncoplanar relationship to said first planar section, and c. an interconnecting plate section integral with said first and second planar sections for rigidly maintaining said first and second planar sections in substantially parallel, coplanar relationship, said four clamp plates being secured to said inner vertical surfaces of said headboard and footboard adjacent different ones of the opposite side edges thereof, the first and second planar sections of each said clamp plate being in contact with and spaced from, respectively, and the associated vertical surface to which the clamp plate is secured, said lips of each said first planar plate section being disposed away from its associated inner vertical surface, said upper rectangular bedframe having vertically depending legs adjacent each corner thereof, each of said legs positionable between a different second planar section and its associated inner vertical surface to detachably rigidly interconnect said headboard and footboard and bedframe, each of said upper frame end sections supported by the uppermost lips of its respectively associated pair of damp plates. 